Olympic shooter appointed to Navy Reserve

Paul Adams (centre) is congratulated on being appointed to the Royal Australian Navy by his grandmother, Joan Matnieson, and mother, Susan Adams, in Brisbane.

Queensland Olympian Paul Adams, 26, has been appointed into the Navy Reserve, where he will apply his professional skills as a Nursing Officer.

The competitive shooter represented Australia in the 2016 Games at Rio de Janeiro and aspires to compete again in Tokyo in 2020. He is on track, having won a silver medal earlier this year in the Men’s skeet at the International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup in Mexico.

Paul has commenced his training at the naval base HMAS Creswell, 180km south of Sydney, with Australia’s latest Navy officer appointees. There he is undertaking lessons on leadership, seamanship, communications, naval history and physical fitness.

Senior Military Recruiting Officer Major Peter Scott said Paul could look forward to the Navy bringing out his best qualities.

Paul brings multiple qualifications to the Navy including a Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Business and a Post Graduate Certificate in Perioperative Nursing.

Major Scott said the Navy offered degree-qualified Australians diverse work and the opportunity to lead and manage while making a real impact.

“The Navy will enable Paul to grow as a leader and medical professional. Reservists develop specialist skill sets, while taking on new challenges with a professional team of like-minded people,” he said.

Paul says he is looking forward to working in a completely different environment.

“Working as a theatre nurse in a large ship or in a field hospital will take my professional experience to a whole new level,” he said.

“I have been a ‘leader’ in my sporting career for nearly eight years.

Recently, I have started to perform leadership roles in the medical environment; being in charge on afternoon shifts and coordinating medical supplies needed for theatre lists.

“I hope my Navy career can take me all over the world, and even beyond what I think I’m capable of professionally, mentally and physically.

“I enjoy being an inspiration to others and hopefully that leads them to their own success, drive and passion.”